By CHRISTOPHER JENSEN

April 9, 2014

Volkswagen said on Wednesday that about 25,000 of its 2014 models may leak transmission fluid, and that it had told dealers to stop selling them while it discusses a possible recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The action covers Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible and Passat cars equipped with 1.8-liter engines and automatic transmissions, Mark Gillies, a spokesman for VW, said. The problem is a defective O-ring in the transmission oil cooler on vehicles assembled after Feb. 1, he said.

Mr. Gillies said Volkswagen was not aware of any accidents or fires related to the problem. A fire hazard such as that posed by leaking transmission fluid would typically require a recall.